Piecework-accounting system.



o. H. TALLMADGE. PIECE-WORK 'AQGOUNTING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED DEC 20, 1909.

' Patented Jan. 20, 1914.

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C. H. TALLMADGE. PIEGEWORK ACCOUNTING SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED D110. 20, 1909.

Patented Jan. 20, 1914.

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CHARLES H. TALLMADGE, OF CHICAGO. ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

TO WILLIAM B. HEATH, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

PIECEWORK-ACCOUNTING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 20, i914.

Application filed December 20, 1909. Serial No. 534,133.

T 0 all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. TALL- .nmon. a citizen of the United Statesresiding at Chicago. in the county of Cook and State of Illinois. have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Piecework-Arcountiug Systems. of which the fol lowing is a full. clear. concise. and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to piece work accounting systems, and has special reference to an electrically operated accounting system for indicating the wages of a workman who is employed on piece work.

In the impending application of Frederick O. Heuser. Serial No. 495,717. filed May 13, 1909. is described an electrical system for indicating the time during which each of a plurality of workmen is employed and the wages earned during such periods. Provision is also made for distributing the wages between a plurality of jobs, and if a workman is not being employed on any job his wages are accounted for in a special wastewage register. The system described in the above-mentioned application broadly depends upon the principle of causing electric impulses to flow successively to the electromagnetic actuating mechanisms of the various registers. thereby appropriately advanc ing said registers. There is also described in connection with the same application a mechanical rate control, by means of which a varying number of impulses is allowed to flow to the actuating mechanism associated with the register of any particular workman according to the rate of wages which is assigned to this workman.

In the present invention I employ much the same system which is briefly outlined above. and in addition I make provision for accounting for the wages of workmen who are employed on piece work. -Each work man has assigned to him an indicating mechanism which contains three registers. The

is adapted to be actuated each timethe workman completes a piece of work and pushes in a suitable knob. The second register is for indicating the rate which is to be paid for each piece of work. The third register is merely for the purpose of acting as a kind of counterbalance for the second register in this way: If it IS dsired to pay a workmanten cents for each piece of work, the second register above mentioned is set, by means which will be descr bed hereafter. to indicate ten, the third register meanwhile indicating zero. When the workman pushes in the knob above mentioned at the beginning or end of his piece of work the first register is moved one space. and on release of the knob so that it is again ca rried out to its normal position, the second register is decumulated. and the third register accumulates simultaneously. The impulses which thus fiow through.the system are carried to the wage register of the workman. which may be located in another part of the factory if desired. When the second register has decuinulated to zero, the circuit in which the electromagnet actuating these registers is included is automatically broken. On pushing in the knob for the next piece of work a retaining pawl associated with the third register is released. and,

by means of a spring associated with the.

second register and suitable gearing connecting the tworegisteis, the third register is returned to zero. and the second register is again brought to its original'position indicating the rate to be paidfor a single piece of work. On releasing the knob the same cvcle of operations is performed.

In order that the actuations which are allowed to flow through the piece work register may ultimately cause the wage register to be accumulated or actuated in a forward direction. the circuit controlling the electromaguet associated with the piece work registers-for anv individual workman is included in series with the circuit which controls the wage and job registers of the same workman. It is evident that in this way it is an exceedingly simple matter to change from paying workmen on a time basis to paying them on a piece work basis. If a workman is employed on a time basis for halt the day. a plug associated with the en'- cuit controlling his wage register is inserted directly in a suitablejack of the ratc-conl trolling device. If after half a day it is desired to employ the workman on piece work for the balance of the day. his plug which was originz'illy inserted in a jack of the rate control is now withdrawn and inserted in a jack connected with one terminal of the circuit of his piece. work registers, and a plug at the other end of the same circuit is inserted in a suitable jack of the rate control device, thereby including the piece work registers in series with the circuit actuating the wage and job registers.

Besides the advantage of having the wages earned on piece work automatically indi. cated in the wage register, there is another very important advantage which maybe attained by the use of my system It is a matter of general experience that when a workman is employed on piece work there is often a strong tendency for him to do less than the normal and proper amount of work at certain times, andithen in order to make up for this andearn the wages According to my improved accountingsystem, provision is made by which a man is not paid more than a certain desiredrate per hour or other unit of time for the'piec' e work on which he is being employed. The result of this is that a workman 1S prevented from doing an undue amountof work in a given time, with the consequent liability of turning out poor. work and injuring the tools. The way that I accomplish this result is as follows: As stated above, and as provided for in co-pending Heuser application Serial No. 495,717, the circuit controllin the wage and job registers of an individual workman includes a rate control device by means of which the number of im ulses flowing to these-registers are govern according to the rate .of wages of the workman. For example, if a workman is paid thirty cents an hour, twice as many impulses are allowed to fiow-to his wage and job registers as would be the case were he paid butfifteen cents an hour. If t piece work r "sters of a given workman a e now included mthesame circuit as hi wage and job registers it is obvious that the maximum number of impulses whi'ch could flow to his wage register Y could not exceed the number of impulses which would flow to the same register provided the piece work re 'sters werefnot included in the circuit. man is being paid thirty cents an hour, and

to correspond to this, thirty impulses fimv to the actuating mechanism for -hiswage register, it will be apparent that only thirty impulses could how if his piece work -registers were included in the same circuit. Now, supposing that the superintendent .did not desire to have more-than three pieces of work turned out per hour, and that ten cents or example, if awere paid for each piece, it is clear that the workman would have no incentive to turn out more than three pieces per hour, and for that reason would take the proper amount of care with his work and would notinjure tools by. undue haste. If, however, it is desired to make the amount of money which a man may earn by piece work somewhat higher than could he earned by his regular wages paid on a time basis, the plug: which is associated with the circuit'of his piece work registers may be inserted in a ]ack of the rate control which will allow a higher rate. For example, instead of having the plug inserted in the thirty cent jack, it could e placed in the forty cent, fifty cent or sixty cent jack. Moreover, if it were desired to practically place no limit on a mans earning capacity by piece work, the plug associated with the piece work register circuit could be inserted in a jack which was electrically connectedwith the impulsemaking device, and there would then be no limit except the speed of said device, which could be suitably increased if desired.

It will now be apparert that my system has great flexibility and utilityin accounting for wages earned by men employed in a factory on various kinds of work. The same general system may be employed in a factory for accounting for the wages of some men who arebeing employed on a time basis,

other men who are employed on piece work, i

complished merely by changing the connections of the electric circuit. These and other advantages of my invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which= Figure 1 is a. general diagrammatic view showing the operation of my system. Fig. 2 is a-horizontal sectional view of the piece work registers and their associated mechanism taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3. Fig.1

3 is a vertical sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectionalview showing the construction ofthe movable gear 518- sociated with one of the'registers and the key controlling the set-up of said register. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the gears connecting two of the registers of the piece work accounting mechanism. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the key shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is an end elevation of the key shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 shows a modificatio.n by which the piece work registers may be associated directly With a machine.

In order to make the description of my L general system more intelligible I will first V 1'2 is mounted the ratchet 13.

de cribe thei detailed construction of the mechanism which is specifically'nsed for the pi f e work accounting.

Iotinted in a casing 1 is an electromagnct 2 which is suitably supported by means of brackets 3 and 1 which are held within the frame The windings of the electromagnet '2' are included in series with switch blades 6 and 7. which are mounted on insulating block 8, and these switch blades 6 and T are in turn connected in series with switch blades 9 and 10 mounted on insulating block 11. Each of these switch blades is prox'ided with a suitable contact to inake'eleetrical connection. It is evident that if the electrical contact on either of the two switches we have just described is broken, the elcct'rolnaguet 2 will be tit-energized. l" or the sake of simplicity the wiring connecting the switches with each other and the electromagnet has not been shown in Figs. 2 and 3. but will be further mentioned later in connection with the description of Fig. 1'.

Mountedwithin t1 ceasing 1 are two registcrs whoseindications may be read, first the piece re ister PR, and second the rate register Rh. The piece register PR is of any of thewell known types of indicating 3gisters. On the end of its actuating shaft A gravity pawl 14 pivoted at 15 prevents the backward movement of this ratchet. A knob 16 mounted at the end of stem 17 projects upwardly above the casing 1. Rigidly connected with stem 17 is the rod 18, to the lower end of which is connected the smaller rod or pin 19, which fits looselv within an openingin the lower part of the casing 1. It is. evident that inasmuch as the rod 18 is larger than stems 17 and 19, the vertical motion of the rod 18 will be restricted to the amount of motion which can be. made between the upper and lower walls of the casin the stem 17 and the pin 19 acting. as guides within suitable holes in the casing 1.

spring 20 attached to the bottom of cas' ing 1 by screw 21 is provided at its end with a slot 22, through which the pin 19 at the end of rod 18 passes. The spring 20 bears against tin-"shoulder formed onfthe lower end of the rod 18 and serves to normally hold this rod in its upper position against the inside of the top wall of the casing 1.

livotally attached to the rod 18 is the awl z'li, which is held in engagement with the ratchet 13 by means of the spring 23, which is mounted at its end on pin 21 attached to rod 18. It is now evident that if knob 16 is depressed, the rod 18 and the nawl 22' are carried downwardly. thereby noving the, ratchet 13 and actuating the register PR one space. \Vhen the knob 16, is released, the spring 20 returns rod 18 to its normal position. retaining pawl 14 holds the ratchet 13 against rotation in a backward direction, and thepawl '22 is moved into engagement with the next tooth of the' ratchet 13- The indicating wheelsa, b, c and (Z of the register RR are mounted on the shaft 25, which has its hearings in the side walls'ofthe casing 1. The unit-indicat ing wheel (1 is rigidly mounted. and the remaining indicating wheels'b'. c. (I, are loosely mounted on this shaft. This register is provided with the carr -o\'er wheels 26.- 26, according to the'usual well known system.

The gear :27 is mounted on one 'endof the shaft '25, being prevented from rotation relatively to th s shaft by means of the pin '2 which passes through the shaft in the slot 29. In the end of this shaft is a hexagonal hole in which the key 30 is adapted to be inserted. spring 31 encircles shaft 25, and on one end bears against the unit-indicating wheel a. and on the other end has its bearing against the collar 32 projecting from and integral with the gear 27. It is evident that on insertion of the key 30 in the end of the shaft the end of this key will come incontact with the pin 28, and the gear 27 will be forced inwardly toward the indicating wheel a. T he object of this construction will i be explained hereafter.

The opposite end of shaft 25' passes through the plate 33, in which is mounted the bushing 31 which forms a bearing for the shaft. Loosely mounted near the end of the shaft and directly next to the side" wall of the casing 1 is the gear As shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, a pin 36 is mounted on the gear 35, and the end of aspiral spring 37 encircles this pin 36. The opposite end of spring 37 is suitably attached to the bushing 31 in the plate 33, and it is thus evident that when gear,35 is rotated in a contraclockwise direction the spring 37 will constantly exert more and more pressure to return this gear to its original position.

The col'uiterhalancing register CR- has its indicating wheels a, 11-. c and ll mounted on shaft 38. wheel a being rigidly mounted, and the other indicating wheels I), c, d being loosely mounted on this shaft. Carryorer wheels 39. 39 of the usual type are provided between the indicating wheels. ltigidly mounted on the end of the shaft 38 corresponding to the end of shaft on which gear 27 is mounted is the gear 40,

which is in mesh with the pinion 41, this pinion being also in mesh with gear 27. It is therefore evident that gears 27 and 40 rotate in the same direction. This is clearly shown in Fig. 6. On the opposite end of shaft 38 is rigidly mounted the gear 42 which is in mesh with gear 35 which is loosely mounted on shaft 25. r

The armature 43, pivoted at 44, is adapted to be attracted by the core iff-of the electro, magnet 2 the latter is energized. Pivto the armature.- 43 is the lever 46, provided at its end with a shoulder 47 which is adapted to engage a toothed ratchet 48 rigidly connected with the unitindicating wheel a of the register CR. \Vheu the armature 43 is attracted to the pole of the core on energization of the electromagnet 2, it is evident that the ratchet 4S and the unit-indicating wheel a will be rotated through one space. The gravity-retaining pawl 49 is thereby caused to engage the next tooth of the ratchet. On deenergization of the electromagnet 2 the armature 43 is moved back to its normal position by the action of spring 50, which is attached to the armature 43 on one end, and on its other end attached to bracket 51 which is mounted on the frame 5. The arma-ture43 is thus drawn to the left into its normal position and comes in contact with the detent 52. The lever 46 is thereby carried to the left in position to engage the next tooth of the ratchet 48. The retaining pawl 49 is .provided with a projection 53 which is engaged by the pin 54 on the rod 18 when the latter is moved in a downward direction. The ef-- fect of such movement is to disengage pawl 49 from the ratchet 48 and to allow this ratchet and the unit-indicating wheel a to be moved in a contraclockwise direction. The object of this arrangement'will be described hereafter. r

The indicating wheel d isprovided on its periphery with the notch or shoulder 55 which is engaged by the gravity pawl 56-- 5 continued.

when the in position.

The indicating wheel (1 of the register RR is provided on its periphery witha notch 57, best shown in Fig. 4. The switch blade 6 is bent on its end into the curve 58, soilthat when the indicating wheel'cl is moved' 'into the position wherethe figure 9 becomes visible, the portion 58 of the blade 6 drops into icating wheel (1' is in its zero the notch 57 and-the contacts of switch blades 6 and 7 are thereby separated. When the portion 58 does not engage the notch 57 of the indicating wheel (Z the periphery of this wheel engages portion 58, and the contacts of the two switch blades 6 and 7 are held together.

The operation of the various parts of the piece work mechanism may now be readily understood.

Let us suppose that it is desired to pay ten cents for each piece of work which is turned out. The foreman or other .suitable person in charge ofthe work inserts the key 30 in the manner shown in Fig. 5 and forces inwardly the gear 27. The shaft 25 may now be rotated independently of the shaft 38 of the counterbalancing register OR. The shaft 25 is rotated, causing the unit-indicating wheel a to be similarly rotat-ed,-and the number 10 is set up on the register RR, the rotation of the unit-indicatingwheel abeing communicated to the 10s wheel I) by means of the carry-over wheel 26. The key 30 is now withdrawn, and gear 27 is brought into mesh with pinion 41. The knob 16 'is now depressed in order to cause the piece register PR to be actuated one space, and to thus show that the work is being done on the piece of any predeterminednumber. Meanwhile thefrounterbalancing register CR has all of its indicating wheels in a position corresponding to zero, although numbers are not generally placed on these wheels, as the. register is entirely" out of sight. Now let us assume that a circuitcontrolling the electromagnet 2 is connected in series with the circuit controlling the wage and job registers of the same workman to 'whom the piece work mechanism has been assigned. As an impulse is passed through the circuit the electromagnet 2 is energized, thereby attracting the armature 43, and the unit-indicating wheel a of counterbalancing register GR is moved one space in a clockwise direction. At the same time, by means of gear 40, pinion 41 and gear 27', the register RR is moved one space in the same direction, and instead of indicating ten will now indicate nine. Meanwhile, by means of gear 42 on the end of shaft 38, the gear 35 loosely mounted on the end of shaft 25 is moved in a clockwise. direction against the tension of spiral spring 34, which is thus gradually being wound up. As impulses'continue to flow through the electrbmagnet 2, this cycle of operations is The numbers on the unit-indicating wheel a of the register RR- are moved around one space in the same manner as described in Heuser application Serial No. 500,526, filed June7, 1909. In this way when the unit-l indicat-ing wheel reaches its zero position the l0s, 100s and 1,000s wheels are, through the carry-over mechanisms, moved frbin their zero to their nine positions, and the end .58 of switch blade 6 drops into the notch 57 of the indicating wheel (I. In this way it is evident that the circuit in which "the electromagnet '2 is included isbroken,

and no more impulses can pass through this electromagnet. While the register RR has been decumulating it is evident that the counterbalancing register CR has been similarly accumulating.

WVhen the next piece of work is started the workman depresses knob 16, thereby actuatmgpiece register PR one more space, and inasmuch as spring. 20 bears on switch I blade 10 the circuitv is broken at this point as well as by the separation of switch blades 6 and 7. By the action of pin 54 on the projection 53 of the pawl 49, this pawl is withdrawn from engagement with ratchet 48. The spring 37, which has gradually been wound up, now exerts its tension through gears 35 and 42, and the shaft 38 is rotated in a contraclockwise direction. The indicating wheels are returned to their Zero position, but are prevented from passing beyond this position by means of the pawl5 3 which engages the shoulder 55 on the highest indicating wheel 1]. lVhile this rotation in a coutraclockwise' direction is taking place in the case of counterbalancing register OR, the same motion is transferred to rate register RR through gear 40, pinion ll and gear 27. so that when counterbalancing register Cll returns to its Zero position, rate register RR again will indicate ten. This backward movement of course occupies only a very short time, and when knob 16 is released and allowed to resume its normal position, switch blades (l nd T have again been brought into contact. and spring 20 being released from switch blade 10. switch blades 9 and 10 are also in contact and impulses again are allowed to flow through the clectroinagnet '2, and the actuations of the registers again take place.

llaving thus described the construction and operation of the detailed mechanism of the piece accounting system. I will now pass to a description of the general operation of the system as'a whole, as shown in Fig. 1. Mounted on a power-driven shaft 57. is the gear 58, which is in mesh with gear 59 mounted on shaft 60. ()n the end of shaft 57 and insulated from the main portion of the shaft by means of the insulating section (31 is the wage brush '13 which is adapted to dip into the mercury of the mercury trough MT. Similarly mounted on shafttiO and insulated from the main portion of this shaft by the insulating section (32 is the time brush TB which also dips into the mercury trough MT: As will be described hereafter, the time brush TB preferably dips into the mercury trough at a rate of 100 times per hour, thus dipping once every six-tenths of a minute. The gear ratio of gears 58' and 59 is such that the wage brush \VBd-ips into the mercury"420 times per hour, or once every one-seventh of aminute.

,As explained in copending application,

Heuser, Serial No. 495,717, the actuations of the job and wage registers assigned to the various workmen take place successively, and for the sake of simplicity I prefer to arrange my system so that a single impulse will be the equivalent of one cent in wages. It is thus evident that if certain workmen were employed, and the actuations occurred at the rate of seven per minute the wage and job registers of each workman "/jguld be actuated at arate corresponding wzixty cents per hour. As a matter of fact. in my present system my description applies to six men, one vacant space being provided in connection with the selector commutators which will be described hereafter. With this general explanation I will now proceed with the description of the various structures of my mechanism.

Mounted onshaft 57 is the driving disk DI), which is provided with a projecting tooth 63. This tooth is adapted to successively engage notches 64, 64 of the locking disk LD, this locking disk being rotated oneseventh of a revolution on each rotation of the driving disk DD.. Mounted on theend of the shaft- (55 on which the locking disk LD is mounted is a bevel-gear which is in mesh with a similar bevel-gear on the end of shaft 66. The latter shaft operates the mechanism of the rate control RC which is described in detail in the copending application, Heuser 495,717.

For the operation of my system two electric mains 67. and 68 are connected with a source of current. A conductor 69- leads from the main 6? to th mercury contained in the mercury trough MT. A conductor 70 leads from a portion of the shaft 57 electrically connected with the wage brush VB to the rate control RC. By means of the mechanism which is actuated by shaft 66, the various series of jacks RJ associated with the rate control RC are connected with the conductor 70 for various lengths of time, thereby, when thecircuit is completed, allowing various numbers of impulses to pass through the conductors associated with the various series of jacks. For example, if the wage brush YVB dips into the mercury of mercury trough MT 420 times per hour, and the rate control RC allows the series of jacks J5 to be connected with the conductor 70 for a total amount of time corresponding to 35/420 of an hour, it is evident that 35 impulses will pass through the jacks J5,-p'rovided the circuit is completed. As will be described hereafter, however, the wage and job registers assigned to anyindividual workman can only receive as a maximum, one-seventh of the total number of impulses, or sixty, as a maximum. Now, inasmuch as the jacks J5 may receive thirty-five impulses per hour, and any individual workman oneseventh of this amount, it is evident that a. single workman would receive only five impulses per hour if his register is in circuit with any one of thejacks J5. That is, his rate of wages would be five cents per hour. On the other hand, if, by the operation of the rate control, the jacks J are constantly connected with the conductor 70, it is evi-' dent that 420 impulses per hour will pass to these jacks, and the wage and job registers of any individual workman would receive one-seventh of this amount,- or sixty impulses per hour,'c0rresponding to a rate of sixty cents per hour.

The intividual workmen have assigned to them wage registers, which are indicated as -ductors 71 with appropriate switch blades of the switches Sl-S(3. Connected with switch blades which are adapted to make contact with the switch. blades just mentioned when the switches Sl-SG are closed, are the conductors 7 2 which terminate in-the rate plugs RP1RP6. \Vhen a rate plug, as Rll, is inserted in a rate jack, as J5, electrical connection'is formed between this jack and, provided the switch S1 is closed,

.the actuating mechanism of the-wage register VVl. A conducto -13 leads comma actuating-mechanism of \VI to a conducting segment of the selector commutator 801. I Mounted on shaft 65 are the two brushes 74 and 75, which successively form contact with the various conducting segments of the selector commutators SCI and S02. The

- ductor 77 is placed the job plug JPl. When this job plug is in. its normal position electrical connection is made between it and conductor '(8 leading to the actuating mechanism of the waste-wage register \Vhen, however, the job plug J P1 is inserted in any one of the series of 10b jacks, as, for example, JJa, electric connection is established with the conductor 7 8 leading to the actuating mechanism of the job register J'aj Conduct-or 79 leads from the actuating mechanism of job register Ja to conductor 80, which leads to the actuating mechanism of the total job register JT. If any of the plugs, as, for example, J P6, areinserted in ,the job jacks, for example, JJf, connection is similarly made with the conductor 80 the actuatin leadingto the actuating mechanism of the total job register. JT. From the total job register JT conductor 81 leads to the total wage register \VT, the conductor 82 frommechanism of the waste-wage register W being connected with the con- .ductor 81-, so that the impulses passing to the total job re ister JT and the total wastewage register VW are themselves totalized in the total wage register WT. The conductor 88 leads-from the actuating mechanism ofzthe total wage register WT to the main 68,'therehy com iletiug the circuit.

It is evident that y the construction of the selector switch which is comprised. of the two selector comuultators S01, S02, the. brushes 74 and and the shaft 6!) connecting said brushes, the impulses which flow to the actuating mechanisms of the various wage registers and the job registers associated therewith are made successive. It will be noted that whereas only six wage registers are provided, there are seven conducting seg ments on each of the selector commutators, no conductor being connected with this seventh segment. The object of this segment is to allow the mechanism of the rate control RC to change its connections while the brushes 74 and 75 rest on the segments of the selector commutator-s to which no connections are made. In this way the flow of impulses to the various wage registers is not interrupted by the operation of the rate control RC.

Having now described the connections of the wage and job registers, we will. nextconsider the operation of the time registers.

Connected to a portion of shaft 60 which is electrically connected with the time brush TB is the conductor 84, which is connected in multiple to one of the switch blades of each of the switches S1S6. Adapted to make. contact with each of these switch blades is asecond series of switch blades, to which conductors 85 are connected, so that, for example, when switch S1 is-closed an electrical connection is made between couductor 84 and conductor 85 which leads to the actuating mechanism of time register Tl. All of the time registers Tl-TG are connected in multiple to conductor 86 which is con nected .with main 68. It is therefore evident that when time brush- TB dips into the mercury of the mercury trough MT, the circuit from main (57 through conductor 69 is thereby completed. According to the system which I have just described it will be clear that all of the time registers are actuated simultaneously, whereas the wage and job registers are actuated successively;

The general system which I have thus far described is very similar to that described in the copending application of Frederick O.

Heuser, Serial No. 495,717.- I will now describe that portion of the general system which relates exclusively to the improvement whichl embody in the present invention.

As mentioned above,"each workman hasa rate plug, as RPL He is also assigned a piece work plug, as-for example, PPL- To this piece work plug. PPl is connected the conductor 87 which leads to the electromagnet which actuates the piece work mechanism, which may be designated as PW]. This electromagnet corresponds to the electromegnet 2 shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The winding of the electromagnet is connected with the switch blade 7, which in turn, in the manner which we have already described, forms contact with switch blade 8. Switch blade 8 is connected in' series with switch blade 9, which in turn is adapted to form contact with switch blade 10. C0 n n'ected with switch blade 10 is the conductor 88 leading to the piece jack PJl. Now, if it is desired to connect the piece work mechanism PlYl in series with the age and job registers assigned to workman 1, rate plug Itll, instead of being inserted in a suitable jack, as, for example, J5 of the rate jacks RJ, is inserted in piece work jack RH, and the piece work plugPPl is inserted'in rate jack J5. By these connections itwill be evident, as explained above, that workman 1 cannot receive a rate of wages for his piece work which will be in excess of five cents per hour. If, however, it is desired that workman 1 shall not receive for his piece work more than 60 cents an hour and may do work profitably until he receives this rate, the plug IIl would be inserted in rate jack J60 instead of J 5. The circuits associated with the piece work mechanisms P'2 P\V6 inclusive may be traced similarly to the circuit associated with piece work mechanism PlVl. p

From the above description it now becomes clear that it is very simple to change workman 1, for e.\'ampIe,-from being paid on a time basis to being paid on a piece work basis, all that is necessary being to withdraw his rate plug RPI from its jack, as, for example, J5, and insert it, instead, in jack IJl, and at the same time insert his piece work -plug PPl in any desired jack of the rate jacks RJ.

In Fig. 9 is shown a modification by which my system of piece work accounting may be used in connection with a machine. On the shaft 89 is mounted the gear 90 in mesh with gear 91, which' is mounted on shaft 92 connected with the operating parts of the machine. The ratio between the gears 90 and 91 may beisuch that the piece work mechanism is actuated at any convenient rate of speed. Also mounted on shaft 89 is the cam 93. Instead of providing a knob 16 on the end of stem 17 which is connected with rod 18, a roller 94 is pivotally mounted on the.

shown in Fig. 9, shaft 89 will be rotated once when shaft 92 is rotated twice, and therefore with a normal production shaft 89 will be rotated five times perhour. If it is desired to pay for the pieces of workat the rate of five cents apiece, it is therefore evident that the rate set up on rate register RR shouLd be ten, inasmuch as the rod 18 is moved only a number of times corresponding to half the number of pieces of work which are produced; If it is desired that the machine. should not be .run at a rate which would allow more than sixty cents an hour to be made, the piece work' plug ll should be inserted in the jack corresponding to a rate of sixty cents per hour. In exactly the same manner as though the knob 16 were manually depressed. the machine will now not allow the workman to make more than a maximum of sixty cents per hour.

It is evident that many changes could be made in the detailed construction of the parts without departing from the spirit of my invention, which broadlv covers a mechanical system of piece work accounting.-

that I claim is:

1. In an accounting system. the combination of a wage register, a piece-rate register.

.actuating means for each of said registers. a

source of power, means for connecting said registers in series with said source. of power, and means for breaking the connection between the actuating mechanism of said piece-rate register and said source after the piece-rate register has been actuated a predetermined aumber of times. thereby stopping the further actuation of both the wage and piecerate registers.

2. In an accounting system, the combination of a wage register, a piece-rate register, actuating means for each of said registers. a source of power, means for connecting said registers in series with said source of power, means for breaking the connection between the actuating mechanism of said piece-rate register and said source after the piece-rate register has been actuated a. predetermined number of times, thereby stopping the furtheractuation of both the wage and piecerate registers, and for recstablishing the connection of said piece-rate register with said source, thereby again allowing the actuation of said piece-rate and wage registers. a predetermined number of times.

3. In an accounting system. the combination of a wage register. a piece-rate rcgister, actuating means for each of said registers, a source of power, means for connecting said registers in, series with said source of power, means for breaking the connection between the actuating mechanism of said piece-rate register and said source a t'tcr the piece-rate register has been actuated a predetermined number of times, thereby stopping the further actuation of both the wage and piece-rate registers, and means for varying the number of actuations during which said connection is maintained.

4. In an accounting system, the combination of a wage register, a piece-rate register. an electromagnetic actuating mechanism for each of said registers, a source of current,

means for connecting the actuating mecha- .nisms of said registers in series with said source of power, and means for breaking the connection ofthe actuating mechanism of said piece-rate register with the source of current after said'picce-rate register has been. actuated a predetermined number of times, thereby stopping the further actuation of said wage and piece-rate registers. I

5. In an accounting system, the combination of a. wage register, a piece-rate register, an electromagnetic actuating mechanism for each of said registers, a source of current, means for connecting the actuating mechanisms of said registers in series with said source of power, means. for breaking the connection of the actuating mechanism of said piece-rate register with the source of current after said piece-rate register has been actuated a predetermined number of times, thereby stopping the further actuation of said wage and piece rate registers,

and for reestablishing the connection of said piece-\\-'orkregister with said source, thereby again allowing the actuation of said registers for a predetermined number of times.

6. In an accounting system, the combination of.a wage register, a piece-rate register,

an electromagnetic actuating mechanism for each of said registers, a source of current,

- means for connecting the actuating mechanisms of said registers in series with said source pf current, means for breaking the connection of the actuating mechanism of said piece-rate register-with the source of current. after said piece-rate register has been actuated a predetermined number of times, thereby ,stopping the further actuation'of said wage "and piece-rateregisters, and means for varying the number of actuations duringwhich said connection is maintained. a I I 71in .an accounting system, a source of current, a wage register, an electromagnetic actuating mechanism associated with said register, a rate register for indicating the rate to be paid for piece work, an electromagnetic actuating incchaiiism for said rate register, means connecting the actuating mechanism of said 'wage register with the source of current, comprising circuit connections and'ineans for including the actuating mechanismof said rate register in series with said connections, means for se-. lectively connecting the actuating mechanism of the wage register directly with the source of current or including the actuating mechanism of the rate register in series therewith, and means for interrupting the connection of the actuating mechanism of the rate register with the source of current after a predetermined number of actuatioiis actuating mechanism associated with said register, a rate register for indicating the rate to be paid for piece work, an electromagnetic actuating mechanism for said rate register, means connecting the actuating mechanism of said wage register with the source of current, comprising circuit connections and means for including the'actuating mechanism of said rate register in series with said connections, means for selectively connecting the actuating mechanism of the wage register directly with the source of current or including the actuating mechanism of the rate register in series therewith, means for interrupting the connection of the actuating mechanism of the rate register with the source of current after a predetermined number .of actuations of said rate register, and for renewing said connections,

thereby allowing the further actuation ofsource of current, comprisin circuit con-' nections and means for inclu ing the'actuating mechanism .of said rate register in series with said connections, means for selectively connecting the actuating mecha nism of the wage register directly with the source of current or including'the actuating mechanism of the rate register in series therewith, means for interrupting the conmotion of the actuating 'mechamsi'n of the rate register with the source of current aftera predetermined number of actuations of said rate register, meansfor Ye ng said predetermined number [of actuations, and.

for renewing said connection, thereby allowing the further actuation of said rate and wage registers a predeterminednumber of times.

10. in an accounting system, a sourceof electric impulses, a wage register, an electromagnetic actuating mechanism for said register, a rate register for indicating the rate to be paid for each piece of work 'performed, a counterbalancing register, electromagnetic actuating mechanism for said counterbalancing register, means mechanically connecting said rate and counterbalancing registers, means electrically connecting the actuating mechanims of said we and counterbalancing registers with said source of impulses and means for breaking said connection when the rate register has been actuated a predetermined amount.

11: In an accounting system, a source of electric impulses, a wage register, an electromagnetic actuating mechanism for said register, a rate register for indicating the rate to be paid for each piece of work performed, a counterbalancing register. an electromagnetic actuating mechanism for said counterhalancing register, means mechanically eonnect-ing said rate and counter-balancing registel's so that as the rate register is decumulated the counterbalancing register is accumulated, means electrically connecting the actuating mechanisms of said wage and counterlmlancing registers with said source of im[)uIses,'and means for breakingsaid connection when the rate register has been decunmlated a predetermined amount.

12. In an accounting system, a source of electric impulses, a wage register, an electromagnetic actuating mechanism for said register, a rate registerfor indicating the rate to he paid for each piece of work performed, a counterbalancing register, 'an electromagnetic actuating mechanism for said counterhalancing register, means mechanically conneeting said rate and counterbalancing registers, means electrically connecting the actuating mechanisms of said wage and counterbalancing registers with said source of impulses, means for breaking said connection when then-ate register has been actuated a predetermined amount, and means for restoring the rate register to its original position, thereby restablishing the connection with said source and allowing the counterbalancing,- rate and Wage registers 'to' be again actuated a predetermined number of times. j

- 13. In an accounting system, a source of electric impulses, a wage register, an electro -xnag11eti actuating mechanism for said register, a rate register for indicating the rate to be paid for each piece of work rformed, a counterhalancing register, an e ectromagnctic actuating mechanism for said'counterbalancing register, means mechanically connecting said rate and .counterbalancing'registcrs'so that'as the rate register is decumulated the. co'unterbalancing register is accumulated. means electrically connecting the actuating mechanisms of said wage and counter-balancing registers with said source of impulses. means for breaking said connection when the rate register has been decumulated a predetermined amount, and means for resetting said rate re ister and said counterbalancing register, t ereby re- ,esta-l'ilishing the connection with said-source, and allowing said wage, counterbalancing and rate registers to be again actuated a predetermined number of times.

11. in an accounting-system, a source of electric impulses, a wage register, an electromagnetic actuating mechanism for said register. a rate register for indicating the'rate to be paid for each piece of work performed, a counterlnilancmg register, an electromagnetic actuating mechanism for said counterbalancing' reglster, means mechanically connecting said rate and counter-balancing registers so that as the rate register is decumulated the eounterbalancing register is accumulated, means electrically connecting the actuating mechanisms of said wage and counterbalancing registers with said source of impulses, means for breaking said connection when the rate register has been decumulated a predetermined amount, and means for varying the rate set up in said rate register.

15. In an accounting system, a source of electric impulses, a wage register, an electromagnetic actuating mechanism for said register, a rate register for indicatingthe rate to be paid for each piece of work performed, a counterbalancing register, an electromagnetic actuating mechanism for said counterbalancin register, means mechanically connecting said rate and counterbalancing-registers, means electrically connecting the actuating mechanisms of saidwage and counterbalancing registers with said 'source of impulses, means for breaking said connection when therate register has been actuated a predetermined amount,

'means for restoring the rate register to its original position, thereby reestablishing the connection with said source and allowing the counterbalancmg, rate and wage registers to ,be again actuated a predetermined number of times, and means for varying the rate set up in said .iate register. '16. In an accounting system, a source of electric impulses, a wage register, an electromagnetic actuating mechanism for said register, a rate register for indicating the 'rate to be paid for each piece of work performed, a counterbalancing register, an electromagnetic actuating mechanism for said counterbalancing register, means mechanicallyg connecting said rate and'countcrbalancing registers, means electrically connecting, the actuating mechanisms of said wage and counterbalancing registers with said source of impulses, means for breaking said connection when the rate register hasbeen actuated a predetermined amount, and means for restoring the counterbalancing register to its original position, thereby resetting the rate register and reestablishing the connection with said source of impulses.

17. In an accounting system, a source of impulses, a wage register, an electromagnetic actuating mechanism for said register, a rate register for indicating the rate to be paid for piece work, acounterbalancing register mechanically connected with the rateregister, an electromagnetic actuating mechanism for the counterbalancing register, means connecting the actuating mechanism of the wage register with said source of impulses, comprising circuitconnections and means for including the actuating mechanism of the counterbalancing register in series with said connections, a switch asso- 5 ciated with the electromagnetic actuating mechanism of said counterbalancing register, means associated with the rate register for opening said switch when the rate register has been actuated a predetermined amount, thereby stopping the further actu ation of said rate, counterbalancing and wage registers, and means for returning the rate and counterbalancing registers to their original positions, thereby closing said switch and allowing the further actuation of said registers a predetermined number of times.

18. In an accounting system, a source of impulses, a wage register, an electromagnetic actuating mechanism for said register, a rate register for indicating the, rate to be paid for piece work, a counterbalancing register mechanically connected with. the rate register, an electromagnetic actuating mechanism for said counterbalancingregister, means connecting the actuatirngamec-hanism of the wage register with said series of impulses, comprising circuit connections and means for including the actuating mechanism of the .counterbalancingregister in series with said connections, a switch associated with the electromagnetic actuating means of 1 said .connterbalancing register, means associated with the rate register for 3 opening said switch when therate register has been actuated a predetermincd amount, thereby stopping the further. actuation of said rate, counterbalaneing andcwage registers, means for returning the .rate and con nterbalancing registers to their original vpositions, therebyclosingpsaid switch and allowing the. further actuation of said registers a predetermined. number of times, and a piece-work register adapted to be actuated on the return ofsaid rate register to its original position, thereby indicating the number of pieces on which work has.been performed.

'19.'In an accounting system, a source of electric impulses, a rate register, a counterbalancing register, means mechanically eon- .necting .said registers, sin-electromagnetic actuating mechanism associated with said counterbalancing register, .circuit connections between said actuating mechanism and :the source of impulses, a switch .in said connections, means for opemngsaid switch when said register has been actuated a predetermined number of times, and means for restoring said rate and counterbuhineing registers to their original positions, thereby closingsaid switch.

20. In an accounting system, the combination of a source of electric impulses, a rate determined register for indicating the rate to be paid for piece work, a counterbalancing register, gearing connecting said rate register with said counterbalancing register, an electromagnetic actuating mechanism for said counterbalancing register, circuit connections between said actuating mechanisn'i and said source of impulses, a switch included in said connections, means for opening said switch when said rate register and its associated oounterbalancing register have been actuated, a predetermined amount, spring means for restoring said counterbalancing and rate registers to their original positions, said electromagnetic actuating mechanism and switch comprising a means for counteracting the action of said spring means whei said rate and counterbalancing registers and being actuated, and means for releasing said counteracting means after said registers have been actuated a predetermined amount.

21. In an accounting system, the c01'nbina-' tion of a source of electricimpulses, a rate register for indicating. the rate to be paid for piece work. a counterbalancing register, gearing connecting said rate registerwith said counterbalancing register, an electromagnetic actuating mechanism for said counterbalancing register, circuit connections between said actuating mechanism and said source of impulses, a switch included in said connections, means for openingsaid switch when said rate register and its associated counterbalancing register have been actuated a preamount, spring means for restoring said coun'tcrbalancing and rate registers to their original positions, said electromagnetic actuating mechanism and switch comprising a means for counteracting the action of said spring means when said rate and counterbalancing registers are being actuated,and for releasing said counteracting means after said registers have been actuated a predetermined amount, and apiece register for indicating the number of times said registers are returned 'to their original positions.

22. In an accounting system, a source of electric impulses, a rate register for indicating the rate to be paid for piece work, a counterbalancing register, g aring mechanically connecting said registers, means for setting up a desired rate in said rate register without actuating .sa-id counterbalancing register, an electromagnetic actuatingmechanism for said counter-balancing register, an electric conductor connecting said actuating means with said source of impulses, a switch in said conductor, means for automatically opening said switch when said rate and counterjialuncing registers have been actuated IL redetermined number of times, and means or restoring said rate and counterbalancing registers to their original positions, tliet'h) closing said switch and renewing the connection with said source of impulses.

23. In an accounting system, a source of electric impulses, a rate register for indicating the rate to be paid for piece work, a. eounterlnilancing register, gearing meehanieally connecting said registers, means for setting up a desired rate in said rate register without actuating said counterbalancing register, an electromagnetic actuating mechanism for said counterbalancing register, an electric conductor connecting said actuating means with said source of impulses, a switch in said conductor, means for automatic-adv opening said Switch when said rate and counterbalaneing registers have been actuated a predetermined number of times. means for restoring said rate and eounterbalancing registers to their original positions, thereby closing said switch and renewing the connection with said source of impulses, and a piece work register for indieating the number of times said registers are restoret'l to their original ositions.

24. In an accounting system, the combination of a source of electric impulses, a rate register a eonnterlmlancing register, mechanical means connecting said registers so thatas said rate register is decumulated the eounterbalam-ing register is correspondingly zu'cumulated. means for setting up a desired rate in said rate register independently of said count'erbalancingtregister, an eleetromagm-tie, actuating mechanism associated with said registers, a conductor connecting said actuating mechanism with said source of impulses, a pair of switches included iii-series with said conductor, means for opening one of said switches when said rate register has been decmnulated a predetermined amount, spring means for restoring said rate and eounterbalancing registers to their original positions, a ratchet associated 'with one of said registers, a pawl adapted to engage said ratchet, said pawl and ratchet counteracting the effect of said spring means, and means for releasing said,

pawl from said ratchet, thereby allowing the return of said rate and counterbalancing registers to their original positions, said releasing means, when disengaging said pawl,

simultaneously opening the second switch,

and on allowing the. re'elngagementof said pawl with said ratchet, closing said second switch, the return of said rate and counterbalancing registers simultaneously closing the said first switch.

25. In an accounting system, the combination of a source of electric impulses, a rate register, a counterbalancing register, mechanical means connecting said registers so that as said rate register is decumulated the; counterbalancing register is correspondingly accumulated, means for setting up a 'ters, means desired ratt in said rate register independently of sa d counterbalancing re ister, an electromagnetic actuating mechanism associated with said registers, .a conductor connecting said actuating mechanism with said source of impulses, a pair of switches included in series with-said conductor, means for opening. one of said switches when said rat-e register has been decumulated a predetermined amount, spring means for restoring said rate and counterbalancing registers to their original positions, a ratchet associated with on'e'of said registers, a pawl adapted to engage said ratchet, said pawl and ratchet counteracting theefi'ectof said spring means, means for releasing said pawl 'from said ratchet, thereby allowing-'the re turn of said rate and counter-balancing registers to their original positions, said releasing means, when disengaging said pawl, simultaneously opening the second switch, andon allowing thereiingagement of said pawl with said ratchet, closing said second switch, the return of said rate and counterhalancing. registers simultaneousl closing said first switch, and a. piece wor register actuated by the means. releasing said pawl for indicating the number of times said rate and counterbalancing registers are restored to their original positions.

26. In an accounting system, the combina-- tion of a wage register, a piece-rate register, actuating means for each of said registers, i'neans for connecting said registers together, and a common actuatin device for botlrof said actuating means, tlie rate of operation of the registers thus connected being proportional to the piece-rate. a

27. In an accounting system, the combination of a wage register, a piece-rate regist'er. aetuatim means for each of said regisi or connecting said registers together; mechanism for actuating the registers, the rate of operation of the registers thus connected being proportional. to the piece-rate, and means for changing the piecerateas desired.

28. In an accountingsystem, the combination of a wage register, a piece-rate register, actuating means for each of said registers, means for connecting said registers to gether, a common.mechanism for actuating the registers, the rate of operation of the registers thusconnected being proportional to the piece-rate, and means for limiting the added actuations of said registers to a determined amount for a given interval of time.

29. In an accounting system, the. combination of a wage register, a piece-rate register, and means for operating the registers from a. common source so that each advance of the piece-rate register advances the wage. register'an amount proportional to the piecerate.

-job registers, devices 30f In an accounting system, a wage register, a first mechanism for actuating said register proportionally to the working time of a workman, and a second mechanism for actuating said register proportionally to the work done by a workman.

31. In an accounting system, a wage reg ister, a first mechanism for actuating said register proportionally to the working time of a workman, a second mechanism for actuating said register proportionally to the work done by a workman, and devices controlling the operation of said register by either actuating mechanism, as desired.

:52. In an accounting-system, a wage register, a first mechanism for-actuating said register proportionally to the working time of a; workman, a second mechanism for actuating said register proportionally to the work done by a workman, and a time register for indicating the working time of a workmaii.

3-3. In an accounting system, a plurality of wage registers, a first mechanism for actuating a desired one of said registers proportionally'to the working time of the Workman. a second mechanism for actuating a desired one ofsaid registers proportionally to the work done by a workman, and a totalizing register for indicating the total wages indicated by said wageregistels. 34. In an accounting system, a wage register, a first mechanism for actuating said register proportionally to the working time of a workman, a second-mechanism for actuating said register proportionally to the work done by a workman, a plurality of job registers, and devices for simultaneously actuating the \rageregister and any desired job register.

In an accounting system, a wage register, a first mechanism for actuating said registcr proportionally to the working time of a workman, a second mechanism for actuating said register proportionally to the work done by a workman,'a plurality of job registers, devices for simultaneously actuating the wage register and any desired job register. and a totalizing register for said juh registers.

36. In an accounting system, a plurality of wage registers, a first mechanism for actuating a desired one of said registers proportionally to the working time of the workman, a second mechanism for actuating a desired one of said registers proportionally to the work done by a workman, a totalizing register for indicating the total wages indicated by said wage registers, a plurality of for simultaneously act-uating a desired one and a desired oncof said job registers, and a totalizing register for said job registers.'-

37. In an accounting system, registering mechanism, and a piece-rate control unit, for controlling the actuation of said registering "an ascertained piece-rate,

of said wage registers" ascertained piece-rate,

mechanism, said control unit comprising a device for determining the actuation of said registering mechanism according to an as certained piece-rate, and mechanism for setting said device for any desired piece-rate.

38. In an accounting system, registering mechanism, a piece-rate control unit for controlling the actuation of said registering mechanism, said control unit comprising adevice for determining the actuation of said registering mechanism according to an as certained piece-rate, mechanism for setting said device for any desired piece-rate, and a second register for indicating the number of pieces of work finished by a workma n.

39. In an accounting systemfregistering mechanism, a piece-rate control unit for controlling the ,actuation of said registering mechanism, said control unitcomprising a device for determining the actuation of said registering mechanism according to an ascertained piece-rate, mechanismfor setting saiddevice for any desired piece-rate, a second register for mdicating the number of pieces of work finished by a, workman, and a member: for manually operating said second register.

40. In an accounting system, registering mechanism, a piece-ra te control unit for controlling the actuation of said registering mechanism, said control unit comprising a device for determining the actuationof said registering mechanism according tojen-ascertained piece-rate, said device for any desired piece-.rate, a second register for indicating ;the number of pieces of work finished by a workman, and

-a member for manually operating said second register, theactuation of said member serving to establish the initial condition of said piece-rate control unit.

41. In an accounting system, a wage register, a. source of electric im ulsesfor actuating said register, and a piece-rate control unit; .for controlling-the actuation of said wage register, said control unit com rising a evice for determining the num er. of current impulses actuating said wage register per piece, of finished work according to for setting said device for any desired piecerate.

42. In an accounting system, a wage register, a source of electric impulses for actu-.

ating said register, and a piece-rate control unit for-controlling the actuation of said wage register, said control unit comprising a device for determining the number of current impulses actuating said wage register per piece of finished work according to an mechanism for set-' ti said device for any. desired piece-rate, ariiI a second register for indicatin the number of 'w'orkman.

mechanism. for setting and mechanism pieces of work finished y a 43. In an accounting system, a Wage register, a source of electric impulses for actuating said register, and a.piece-r ate control unit for controlling the actuation of said wage register, said control unit comprising a device for determining the number of ourrent impulses actuating said wage register per piece of finished work according to an ascertained piece-rate, mechanism for setting said device for any desired piece-rate, a second register for indicating the number of pieces of work finished by. a' workman, and a member for manually operating said second register and controlling the circuit connections from said source of electric impulses.

44. In an accounting system, a wage register, a source of electric impulses for actuating said register, unit for controlling the actuation of said wage register, said control unit comprising a device for determining the number of ourcopiel 0! this patent and a piece-rate control 'I may be obtained tor the cents each, by addressing the rent impulses actuating said wage register per piece of finished work according to an ascertained piece-rate, mechanism for setting said device for any desired piece-rate, a second register for indicating the number of pieces of work finished by a workman, and a member for manually operating said second register and controlling the circuit 'connections from said source of electric impulses, the actuation of said member serving to establish the initial condition of said piece-rate control unit and torender opera tive the circuit connect-ions between 'said source of electric impulses and said wage register.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe J. S. ABBo'rr.

Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. C."

my name this 16th day of December, A. D. 

